Manowar by the most part, have been a pretty predictable band throughout the years. The brotherhood of true metal warriors triumphing over the nonbelievers has been a presistant theme. Mix in some epic battle scenes right out of a good sword and sorcery flick (think Conan), and you get material that doesn't shy away from the gore, grit, dirt and promiscuity of the viking lifestyle. Toss in a few mythical creatures, a battlefield drunk on the blood of the unbelievers, and Norse gods and you have your average
Manowar album. Ah and don't forget the fireside ballad where a few tankards of ale and a brotherly tavern bard's tale song to reflect over past triumphs and future fantasy undertakings. Every lyric line ringing out in power and conviction, urging wimps and posers to leave the hall. Yep, thats the
Manowar way, bringing metal fans together under the banner of the axe and sword. Yet, this time, there's something different.
Previously in the bands chronicles they gave us "Warriors of the World". It was the usual call to arms, but was boosted by the world united feel that persisted after the tragedies of 9/11 and the terrorist attacks that toppled the Twin Towers, a US national symbol located in New York City. After the brush with themes pervailing over that disc, one was hoping for a straightforward followup that delivered the punches with epic flair and the beastial, burning essence of power metal. No fancy stuff allowed. But it seems the guys decided to take it to the next level and produce a concept disc. Not just *A* concept disc, but one in a series of concept cds, each that will pay tribute to one god or another.
Odin is first up on their praise list, and he gets a full three track trilogy to praise his name right in the middle of the cd. Unfortunately this threesome is comprised of the "Overture of Odin", a pompous orchestral noodling that is empty in emotion, the cheesy "The Blood of Odin" that is a spoken word narration, and then finally the band cranks it to eleven on the feature presentation about Odin called, ah, "Sons of Odin". The focal diamond of the album deserves to be exceptional, however this song is nothing more than a fast frolicker that is pretty much like every other whip crack quick track that the self-termed Kings of Metal have been churning off the heavy metal conveyer belt for the past few decades. Not exactly the kind of earth quaking triumphant tribute one would expect as praise for a god. Its not even unique enough to be fit for a lesser god.
Not that "Gods of War" is an album populated only by regurgitated speed metal doodlers. There is much more to it than what initially meets the eye.
Unfortunately the really nice meaty sections of the disc are sandwiched inbetween a mind numbing amount of filler material. The album is also almost halfway over before the better stuff starts to kick in. Tracks meant as lead-ins to build suspense yet induce boredom, and an over abundance of terrible narration makes it seem like a Rhapsody of Fire production than the pacing of a
Manowar album. These are just a few of the obstacles to slog through first. Even the album's liner notes are written in Norse Code, something that screams pretentiousness. The point is, this extra stuff is just clutter that gets in the way of enjoying the real songs of the disc.
An aspect of this new foray into conceptland that just doesn't suit the band at all.
The greatest
Manowar moment is not the wobbly Odin trifecta, but rather, the real crowning jewel of the album, the numbingly epic title track that is one of the most stirring triumphant pieces you will likely ever have the priveldge of hearing on a cd anywhere. It has highs, lows, moments of orchestral tension, guitar solos that are dizzying, blurred by visions of fire. Eric Adams' voice rises to praise, lowers to a proud rolling thunder and punctuates in exclamation marks of shattering screams. A militant marching pace lends an epic gathering feel to the proceedings. You can feel the shiver of excitement and envision legions of warriors brandishing weapons of steel all under the hammer, as the sons of Odin unite. Its hard not to get swept up in the fierce grandeur of this powerstruck track. This is sheer
Manowar bliss and should have every fan begging for more.
"Army of the Dead Part II" brings this build up to a halt in the form of spooky organs and backing vocal "ahhhs". A short ballad of encouragement on the battlefield. Glory awaits thee in death as it is in life. "Odin" has a slow shake, perfect for easy headbanging. Eric Adams again makes the song something special, his voice a commanding presence. The rolling build that started at the opening continues as momentum is gained. It feels like the perfect bookmark to "Gods of War".
Yet slow orchestral tracks are not what the diehards came for, even though they run wild in the album. The opener is "Overture to the Hymn of the
Immortal Warriors", six minutes of orchestration, "Army of the Dead (Part 1)" is an acapella beauty that lets Eric's voice take the spotlight, a brief bliss for music lovers that will likely annoy stubborn diehard metal maniacs..."Glory, Majesty, Unity" is seperated because of the narration, otherwise it would be among the counted for additional instrumental filler.
This one is also special because it seems to be an answer to a cut off of "Kings of Metal", back twenty years ago. It took two decades but has "The Warrior's Prayer" finally found a conclusion? Its left up to the listener to decide the song's intent and final fate.
The metalheads that likely denounce the necessity of the plethora of instrumental minded tracks should find their cravings put to rest in firecracker true heavy tracks such as "Loki, God of Fire". Simple, uncluttered music that is metal through and through. The chorus is pretty swank, Adams voice being bounced off itself in an echoing copy. Guitars lick through with a sizzling burn. A churning, crunching rhythm rounds out the package. "King of Kings" is given a professional treatment (first seen on "Hell on Earth Part IV" DVD) and comes screaming, fast with fury.
"Sleipnir" is a magical, chugging, fleet fingered ride, the superb vocals of Adams being the main draw. Low and throaty, he pulls at you, forcing his voice into this deep void of darkness before slamming it into high octane gear for the next verse. The guitar solo here is of note too, twisting like a serpent and baring electric fangs for a musical shock of metallic venom.
A rush of adrenaline fused lightning poison that goes straight to the brain.
"Blood Brothers" and "Hymn of the
Immortal Warrior" (the tail end closer for most editions of the disc) are the two ballads, in the tradition of "Courage" or "The Crown and the Ring". Unfortunately, neither one are sparkled in such medieval majesty or have a bardic flow to them. The orchestral arrangement for "Blood Brothers" gives it a boost that makes it seem larger than life. "Hymn" is slow to unfurl and seems almost too careful in its composition. A hymn, as the title suggests, that builds to a glorious finale. The showcase is obviously on the pipes of Eric which are as rich and booming as ever. He pulls these two tracks together by emoting a gorgeous, rounded performance. The last few drops of electric guitar squeezed out during the solo is a heart wrenching touch, but the dirge-like organs cropping up afterward are a bit of overkill.
The extra track that some may recieve is another speedy cranker called "Die For Metal" that lives and dies for the cause of the music. It has no ties to Odin and is not part of the bigger concept picture here, thus it being relegated to the status of bonus song. Neither great nor banished to crappiness, it just sort of exists as this unconnected whirlwind that blows through as the whispered breeze of familarity and leaves you breathless. .
As uneven and cumbersome as the disc is, "Gods of War" still is music to the ears. After a five year wait, any scrap thrown by the band will do, and this one happens to have alot of meat left on it. Some misteps in the form of unnecessary intros and prolonged narration mar an otherwise decent offering by the Kings of Metal. The vinegar, piss and fire are intact, as are the hymns to greater glory, and for the rabid legion of fans, that is more than enough to satiate their hunger. Although it has a modern polished shine, the disc lacks some of the originality and catchiness that can be found in other
Manowar releases. A snappy, memorable chorus goes a long way, and are nearly nonexistant on this disc. Thankfully the glorious title track and a handful of others save it from being shoved to the back of their catalogue. Hopefully the next attempt at paying tribute to a god will be a more fruitful and flowing release. But for now, this is enough to quench the thirst for
Manowar branded metal.
Written by
Alanna Sunday, April 22, 2007
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